a2

• • insensitive
  • callous
  • misogynistic
  • arrogant
  • paragon of the obstinate capitalists, failing to display any remorse, remaining static and passive
  • multi-faceted selfishness, values his reputation over anything, promoting him to behave apathetically as he is pre-occupied with the threat of his status being compromised to feel any compassion
  • paragon of the patriarchal male in 1912 Britain, using misogny to assert his power, treating women as his possessions
• "dubiously" tells his wife "If this comes out at the inquest, it isn't going to do us much good. The press might easily take it up-" CONTEXT

  • despite a2 being an opportunity for characters to begin contemplating feelings of remorse, we see none of this in Mr B except concern for his reputation
  • as a member of the older gen, he exhibits a high external locus, he perceives his behaviour to be a result of external influences, not the fault of his own
  • subtly reprimanding his wide for her negligence of Eva which not only exposes his hyprociy but also him desperately attempting to expel blame
• "dubiously" tells his wife "If this comes out at the inquest, it isn't going to do us much good. The press might easily take it up" LANG

  • adjective "dubious" connotes shyness and uncertainty, juxtaposing his previously confident and extroverted self as he experiences a moment of weakness over the possibility of a tainted reputation since he is a member of a nouveau riche and high status doesn't come naturally to him
  • anxiety at the mention of the "press" stems from fear of his facade being exposed not at all motivated by guilt/pity
  • dramatic irony evokes a bitter excitement
• Priestly explores how every fibre of Mr Birling's being is superficial- the only thing that can elicit an emotional response from his is another frivolous trope of wealth yet he remains unphased by the concept of death and suicide, exposing how hollow capitalism is forces people to see the purpose of life to be centred around wealth, status and reputation rather than compassion and love.
• "is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector?"

  • Birling uses misogyny to establish his role as the head of the household, he attempts to speak on behalf of Mrs Birling and Sheila, thus can be viewed to be emblematic of the patriarchy.
  • possessive pronoun "my" means of establishing control to elevate himself and take ownership of his wife
  • metaphor for him grasping onto his threatened status and vulnerable value within society
  • rhetorical questions = patronising, power struggle leads his true nature to be exposed as he immediately resorts to aggression
• "a young, unmarried girl, is being dragged into this-"

  • critiques the inspector at every opportunity, stemming from insecurity, almost searching for his flaws and mistakes, whilst revealing all his
  • adjective "unmarried" is used as an epithet of weakness, which emulates male arrogance suggesting women require marriage as a form of safety
  • linking to patriarchy women were transactions of their fathers to benefit them socially and politically, views her only function as his daughter to marry mentions her marital status when it isn't important, reinforces every social ideal in 1912 society
• "Now, Sheila, I'm not defending him. But you must understand that a lot of young men-"

  • protects his status over his daughter and her happiness and wellbeing, hollow and not a true fatherly figure
  • artificial care for his daughter is ironic since he exploits her for social and financial gain through her marriage, a transaction, viewing her only function to marry an affluent man, Gerald is an aristocrat he doesn't care about if he makes her happy
  • lack of familial dynamic exacerbates the divide between older and younger gen
• "what's the matter with that child?"

  • transition in language from possessive pronoun "my" to the demonstrative pronoun "that" symbolic of Mr B distancing himself from anyone who embodies socialist ideals even if its his daughter, he expels himself of the ownership of her
  • critiques how political values were valued over familial compassion, his individualistic notions of capitalism compromise him having meaningful relationships that are built on the foundations of love/care/compassion not class/status/wealth
  • audience makes a link that capitalism promotes selfishness